I am wanting to convert a word document into a form that can be emailed/downloaded, completed and submitted back completed with data. i only want to complete phase 1 of the 4 below.
the form is usually printed and completed by hand in a client meeting but more and more it is becoming appropriate to have the ability to email the form to someone, or better still to upload the form to my website and simply email the link so people can download it, complete it and email it back.
i see the stages of development as follows:
1. emailable form that can be completed, saved, printed, or emailed and/or
2. form that can be downloaded from website to achieve the same result
3. form that is a web page that is included as part of the website and is completed online. the data entered to be collected and submitted by email [or some other form]back to me
4. same as 3. [above] except the the data is retained in a database that is 'connected' to the website and can be accessed from there.
stage 1 is relevant right now and that will accommodate for the time being. stages 2-4 are ideal but don't need to invest the time to get there immediately. time is of the essence for stage 1.
i have created a PDF form but some people have some issues trying to save/complete the form and save the data. it doesn't appear to be effective in achieving the desired outcome.
have a number of other documents [ and excel spreadsheets] that i would want the same result for. so that finally all of the documentation is online and easily accessed and completed, where it wasn't done as part of the face-to-face client meeting.
the word document is not yet a word form, although i has complex formatting and tables in it. it prints effectively and creates the right hard copy format, it would need to be updated to create the correct ord document form formats if that is required as the first step.
'look & feel' is critical so the visual form is uppermost. i.e. the development of a 'replica' of the printed page as an emailable form is for more important than the creation of a functional but basic looking data collection form.
very intelligent data collection functionality comes second to very well presented perfectly formatted robust form that can be sent, received, printed, saved etc.
the website is Drupal, but that should not adversely influence the key driver [as stated above].
I have attached a sample of the document for review.
there is 49 pages in the full hard copy. have divided into 3 section for the email option
there is also another two documents minimum and two or three spreadsheets, containing some complex calculations that also require 'conversion'.
any online browser based form would need to print off in same format or there would need to be two versions retained, the print version and the browser version.
open to advice around any/all of the above about the best way to manage.